8 illegal Chinese vendors nabbed in Divisoria

Eight Chinese nationals were arrested for illegally selling retail goods in Manila, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the foreign nationals were apprehended in two separate operations conducted on September 20 and 21 inside the 168 Shopping Mall in the Chinatown District in Binondo.

BI Acting Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the arrested foreigners as Cai Zhongyong, Wang Liyan, Cai Yahui, Cai Shaorong, Shi Qingliang, Cai Shunli, Cai Jianting, and Lin Jiaxian. He said they were working in the country without proper documentation.

“The presence of these illegal foreign vendors robs our small Filipino businessmen of livelihood opportunities,” Morente said.

He reiterated that the country’s Immigration Act prohibits foreign nationals from working without a valid work permit or visa.

Aliens who violate the conditions of their stay by engaging in gainful activity without the proper visa, Morente said, will be deported and banned from re-entering the country.

The cases of the eight Chinese nationals were forwarded to the BI Legal Division to initiate deportation proceedings.

The said operations were part of a series of arrests targeting illegal aliens in Metro Manila and in other provinces.

“The Commissioner has ordered the strengthening of the Intelligence Division to ensure that we catch these illegal aliens that blatantly disregard our laws,” Manahan said.

He pointed out that the information received from concerned citizens resulted in many of the arrests.

“We have also expanded our network by increasing the reach of our intelligence gathering, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies,” he added. /je